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What We’re Reading

The Atlantic: Behold: the radish as an aphrodisiac (and you thought you were tired of reading about root vegetables). — Melissa Clark

The New York Times: And now, the dream job? Texas Monthly hires Daniel Vaughn to be its first barbecue editor, a position that exists at no other newspaper in America. He’s noshed at 500 barbecue joints in Texas. Oh, and his wife isn’t wild about barbecue. — Glenn Collins

New York: When was the last time you heard someone order a Danish? The pastry is back at many New York bakeries and restaurants, in new variants like the maple yam at Bien Cuit. – Patrick Farrell

Decanter: Andrew Jefford asks the question, does malt whiskey have a sense of place? The answer: possibly, but not in the same way that wine does. — Eric Asimov

The New York Times: In a town in rural Ireland, where there is little to do but go to a pub, local officials passed an ordinance that would give the police discretion about drunken driving citations, allowing people to drive home after having two or three drinks on little-used roads going at very low speeds. — Maria Newman

The New York Times: An increasing number of older Americans aren’t just smoking marijuana; they’re cooking with it. — Emily Weinstein

Food52: Still deciding which macaroon recipe to make for the Seder? Alice Medrich’s genius recipe combines classic coconut with a hefty chunk of chocolate. I made them last year, a huge hit. — Melissa Clark

The New Yorker: At 80, André Soltner comes out of retirement to cook a benefit dinner, whip up a sauce béarnaise and whisk a little cold water onto newfangled notions like molecular gastronomy and the greenmarket menu. “Chefs don’t really go to the market, you know,” he says. “It’s a bit of a myth.” (Subscription required.) – Patrick Farrell

The Financial Times: Hill of Grace is one of Australia’s most celebrated wines. To make sure it is worthy of its status, Jancis Robinson tasted every vintage of the wine ever released, 48 in all. — Eric Asimov

The Guardian: To spend more time with family and friends at Easter, here are some recipes you can prepare in advance: labneh eggs with dukka, shin of beef stew with star anise and rhubarb semifreddo. — Glenn Collins

Instuctables How to make Cadbury Creme Eggs from scratch, because you know you really want to know. — Melissa Clark

Nation’s Restaurant News: It’s been a bleak season for higher-check-cost restaurant chains like the Darden Restaurant Group’s LongHorn Steakhouse, Red Lobster and Olive Garden — with a sales decline of 4.6 percent. Meanwhile, Darden’s more affordable brands, like the Capital Grille and Yard House, are up 2.3 percent. Analysts point to a downscaling, stay-at-home trend due to the lingering recession, the spike in gasoline prices, the payroll tax increase and severe winter weather. — Glenn Collins

The Washington Post: The White House Seder returns on Monday night with matzo ball soup, brisket, kugel and after the Passover story, a reading of the Emancipation Proclamation. – Patrick Farrell

The Associated Press: Sugar beets are making a comeback, but not in the way you think. A dozen farmers in California, with the backing of a $5 million state grant, are set to start construction of a plant that will convert the beets into ethanol. (Via The Huffington Post) — Maria Newman